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Loud Environment with Severe Hearing Loss

Posted by mickey5909 @mickey5909, Jun 1, 2023

Hello! Last night I went to a playoff hockey game. Of course the music and the crowd is really loud. I had turned my down my aids to the lowest level but it was just constantly moving them up and down. That got me thinking because my hubby and I used to like to go to rock concerts (just an FYI, this wasn't the reason for my loss. My loss is mostly hereditary but I am sure going to the concerts didn't help much). He had talked about going to see one of his favorite bands next time they tour. Does anyone on here go to these type of loud events? I have severe loss so without my hearing aids I cannot hear much. So I am afraid to take out my aids and have headphones or ear plugs. This is all I ever see. Is it ok just to turn off the aids and then put them on when there is a "quiet" during the event?

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imallears | @imallears | Jun 2, 2023

@mickey5909

Hi,

I avoid loud environments. Like you, if I am in a loud place or hear sustained loud noise I lower the volume for comfort. However, even though you remove your aids, your inner ear cells…the cilia, are still exposed to the noise and the risk of further damage to the hair cells is still there.

I personally wouldn’t attend any loud concerts because I don’t want to lose anymore than what I have. If you do, just be aware that lowering the volume or removing the aids will make it more comfortable for you but it’s not helping to minimize damage. It’s not good for anyone to hear sustained noise over certain decibels.

FL Mary

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jun 2, 2023

@mickey5909 I urge you to protect the hearing you have when you are in those extremely loud environments. Even though your hearing loss is hereditary, it is likely that exposure to extreme noise has caused it to deteriorate faster.

I hesitate to tell people to stop doing the social things they have always enjoyed, but that's a choice. If you choose to attend rock concerts, etc. you might want to ask your audiologist to create a pair of custom fit musician's earplugs that you can wear when you're in that kind of noise. If you do well with hearing aids, you obviously won't be able to hear well in conversation, but you probably don't hear then anyway.

If you have custom fit ear molds with your hearing aids, they do block your hearing somewhat if the aids are turned off, but still worn. The newer ear buds don't do that. Hearing protection is vital for everyone, hearing loss or not.

Do you know how many rockers have retired due to hearing loss?

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mickey5909 | @mickey5909 | Jun 2, 2023

That is what I feared. I had told my husband about not going and then I felt like I was being foolish for not wanting to live life. I was hoping there could be a way to enjoy going to a concert while still protecting my hearing but then I fear if I use any protection for my ears I won’t be able to make out the music. Thankfully it is not something we do much anymore. I did most of my concerts in my early 20s. After having our son we really only went to one. We are more going to hockey games type of people and even there the environment can get loud with the music they play.

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jun 3, 2023
In reply to @mickey5909 "That is what I feared. I had told my husband about not going and then I..." + (show)
@mickey5909

That is what I feared. I had told my husband about not going and then I felt like I was being foolish for not wanting to live life. I was hoping there could be a way to enjoy going to a concert while still protecting my hearing but then I fear if I use any protection for my ears I won’t be able to make out the music. Thankfully it is not something we do much anymore. I did most of my concerts in my early 20s. After having our son we really only went to one. We are more going to hockey games type of people and even there the environment can get loud with the music they play.

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Definitely consider getting the protective ear plugs for the hockey games. Watching sports is more visual, the noise isn't needed.

Last fall I attended an NFL game in an enclosed stadium. The noise was extreme, and the crowd was challenged to make it as loud as they could because they were using a decibel meter on the jumbotron screen to see how loud it could get. It was horrible! I'm used to watching sports in an outdoor stadium.

It's a well-known fact that extreme noise contributes to hearing loss.

Whose job is it to protect our hearing health?

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hedy | @hedy | Jun 3, 2023
In reply to @imallears "@mickey5909 Hi, I avoid loud environments. Like you, if I am in a loud place or..." + (show)
@imallears

@mickey5909

Hi,

I avoid loud environments. Like you, if I am in a loud place or hear sustained loud noise I lower the volume for comfort. However, even though you remove your aids, your inner ear cells…the cilia, are still exposed to the noise and the risk of further damage to the hair cells is still there.

I personally wouldn’t attend any loud concerts because I don’t want to lose anymore than what I have. If you do, just be aware that lowering the volume or removing the aids will make it more comfortable for you but it’s not helping to minimize damage. It’s not good for anyone to hear sustained noise over certain decibels.

FL Mary

Jump to this post

Excellent information. The best way to protect your hearing is to not attend where the music is 80 decibels similar to city traffic. Wear ear protection from a lawn mower (90 decibels). Normal conversation is 60 decibels. A whisper is 30 decibels. Rock concerts are 140 decibels. Prolonged exposure to any noise above 90 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss. Hermine Willey, cohear@aol.com

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